Temperature indicator for radiators



July 13, 1926. 1,592,032

G. LOOPER TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR RADIATORS Filed Sept. 23 922 Patented July 13, 1925.

UNITED STATES GLENN LOOPEE, OF BALTIMORE, IiIARYLANID.

TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR RADIATORS.

Application filed. September 23, 1922. Serial No. 590,097.

This invention relates to temperature indicators for-radiators, tanks, and the like, and an important object of the invention is to provide an improved structure of this type in which the tube containing the indicating fluid is fully protected against accidental breakage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of thischaracter in which the tube of the indicator does not extend into the tank orradiator to which the indicator is applied.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction of this character which is extremely simple and which accordinglymay befcheaply and expeditiously produced and which at the same time will be practical, durable and efficient in service.

These and other objects I attain by the constructionand arrangement shown in the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein like reference'characters designatelike parts throughout.

In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a temperature indicator constructed in. accordance with my invention, showing the same applied to the cap of a tank;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view through the form of indicator shown in Figure 1; and

-Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the manner of mounting the lenses in the bezel frame and of securing theupper end of the indicating tube against movement.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral indicatesa base adapted for engagement with the outer surface of a tank T about the opening 11 formed therein, or with the outer surface of a cap C closing the opening in the tank and having an opening 11. The base 10 has formed therein a bore 12 opening through the lower end of the base and adapted to communicate with the opening 11. The upper wall of the bore of the base has depending therefrom a boss 13 whichboss has formed therein a bore 14. The bore 14 of the boss extends through the upper end Earned integral y with the pper eurtace of the base and extending upwardly therefrom is a bezel frame 16 of any desired outline and of sufficient size to accommodate the length of tube employed, the upper end of the tube 15 extending into proximity to the upper end of the bezel frame. A retaining element 17 embraces the upper end 7 of the tube and has its ends secured, as at 18, to the bezel frame and serves to hold the upper end of the tube against vibratory movement tending to destroy the same. The bezel frame 16 has formed in the side faces the lens-receiving grooves19 in which the lenses 20 are held in position by means of clamping wires 21 or the like. 7

As means for securing the base 10 in position upon the tank with the bore 12 thereof in alignment with the opening 11, I provide a retaining element 22 adapted to abut the inner face of the wall of the tank about the an upwardly extending flange 23 fitting within the opening 11 of the tank or cap and within the bore 12 of the base 10. The upper end of this flange is provided with an inwardly extending shoulder 24, the in ner face of which is screw-threaded for coaction with the boss 13 which is externally screw-threaded. The retaining element 22 is preferably in the form of a nut and it will be seen that upon relative rotation of the retaining element and base the threaded enga ement of the shoulder 24 with the boss 13-will cause the base and retaining element to move toward or away from one another, dependent upon the direction of rotation.

In order to prevent movement of the tube- 15 within the bore 14E of the boss 13 this boss is provided at its lower end with means 27 preventing downward movement of the. tube and theupper end of the'bore is slightly enlarged, as indicated at 28, "and the space between the tube 15 f and the walls of the bore filled with cement 29 preventing upward. IQQVQQlQiJ of the tube line retainin means at the lower end of the boss 13 preferably take the form of a nut shown in Figure 1.

If desired, the retaining element 17 employed for steadying the upper end of the tube 15 may form a support for plates Ell) arranged at opposite sides of the tube 15 be-,

tween and discernible through the lenses 20. The faces of these plates 30 may be provided with any suitable indicia, such as wording or coloring, or scale munerals by means of which the condition of the fluid contained in the tube maybe determined by comparison of this scale indicia or coloring with the condition or position of the fluid within the tube 15. For example, if the fluid be one ol'- that order changing color in response to variations of temperature, the plates may be pro ided at a suitable point with coloring of that shade ,which the liquid within the t-ube-assiunes when the water within theradiator boils: at another point with the normal coloring of the liquid; and between these two points with a graduated chromatic scale showing the ,various conditions as represented by the corresponding colors of the liquid. Since, however, such liquid need not be employed, I do not limit myself to this constructionand have not accordingly herein illustratedthe same, beyond the showing of the plates 30 as carried by the element 17 and as positioned upon opposite sides of the tube. The-means en'iployed in securing the plates 30 to the element 17 may be of any desired type, in the present instance these plates being shown as attached thereto.

From theforegoing it will be seen that the tube 15 is fully protected throughout its lengtln and that accordingly the tube is very unlikely to be broken and at the same time the bore 12 permits the, heat of the tanlrto circulate about-the tube. at the. lower endthereof sutliciently to heat this lower end-to the temperature of the contents of the tank. It will furthermore be obvious that the structure hereinbeforerecited is capable of many changes and modifications without materially departing from the spirit of my invention and l" accordingly do not limit myself to the specific structure thereof except as hereinafter claimed.

I cla1m:

. and communicating withthe opening of the radiator wall, a boss depending from the upper wall of'the bore of the base, said boss haying a bore formed therein opening through; the upper end of the base, an indi'c-ating flu-id -containing tube having its lower end disposed in the bore of said boss,-

rcmovable means at the lower end of the boss limiting downward movement of the tube in the bore, a protecting housing for the upper end of said tube carried by said ba e, and means for securing said base in po t on upon the wall of the radiator insrparz-xble t'rcm the l use until said remorable means is remored.

2. In a temperature indicator for radiators and the like, the combination with a radiator having an opening formed in the wall thereof, of a base abutting the outer face of the radiator wall about the opening and having a bore opening through the bottom thereof and communicating with the opening of the radiator wall, a boss depending from the upper wall of the bore of the base, said boss having a bore formed therein opening throughthe upper end of the base, an indicating fluid containing tube having its lower end disposed in the bore of said boss. removablemeans at the lower end of the boss limiting downward movement of the tube in the bore, a projecting housing for the upper end of said tube carried by said base, means for securing said base in position upon the wall of the radiator, including a. retaining element arranged upon the inner face of the wall of the radiator adjacent said opening, and means foradjusting said retaining element and base toward and away 'lromone another including a flange-formed onsaid retaining element and having threaded engagement with said boss.

In a temperature indicator for radiators and the like, the combination with a radiator having an opening formed invthe wall thereof, of a base abutting the outer face of the radiator wall about the open' ing and having a bore opening through the bottom thereof and communicating with the opening of the radiator wall, a boss depending from the upper wall of thebore ol the base, said boss having a bore formed therein opening through the upper endoi the base, an indicating fluid containing tube having its lower end disposed onthe bore of said boss. means at the lower end of the boss limiting downward movement of the tube in the bore. at protecting housing for the upper end of said tube carried by said base. and means for securing said base in position upon the wall of the adiator. including a member engaging the inner wall of the radiiatorhaving portions extending upwardly into the bore of the base and secured to said boss.

t-In a temperature indicator for radiators and the'like, -the combination-with a radiator having an opening formed in the wall thereof, of; a base abutting the outer face 'ofthe; radiator 'Wall'aboutthe opening and; havin a boreopening through' the'bottom thereof and communicating with tho opening of-ihe' radiator welhfa boss-depend ing from the upper wall of the bore of the base, said boss having a bore formed therein openin through the upper end of the base, an indicating fluid containing tube having its lower end disposed in the bore of said boss, means at the lower end of the boss limiting downward movement of the tube in the bore, a protecting housing for theupper end of said tube carried by said base, and means for securing said base in position upon the wall of the radiator, including a member engaging the inner wall of the radiator and having portions extending upwardly into the bore of the base and having threaded engagement with said boss.

5. In a temperature indicator for radiators and the like, the combination with a radiator having an opening formed in the wall thereof, of a base abutting the outer face of the radiator wall about the opening and having a bore opening through the bottom thereof and communicating with the opening of the radiator wall, a bossdepending from the upper wall of the bore of the base, said boss having a bore formed therein opening through the upper end of the base, an indicating fluid containing tube having its lower end disposed in the bore of said boss, means at the lower end of the boss limiting downward movement of the tube in the bore, a protecting housing for the upper end of said tube carried by said base, and means for securing said base in position upon the wall of the radiator, including a member engaging the inner wall of the radiator and having portions extending upwardly into the bore of the base and having threaded engagement with said boss, said means at the lower end of the boss limiting downward movement of the tube comprising a nut having threaded engagement with the S088 and extending across the bore of the boss to limit the downward movement of the tube, nut preventing disengagement of said base and retaining element.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

GLENN LOOPER. 

